Sunday, November 09, 2008

Texas Tech people have a legit gripe right now with Nick Saban and Alabama staying on top after pulling out a win in Death Valley in overtime, but I will defend the decision -- for now.

Alabama

Texas Tech

Texas

Florida

Oklahoma

USC

Utah

Penn State

Boise State

Georgia

I would have knocked Tech up to #1 personally, but the human polls and the computers won't do that unless a team loses, and besides, the human bias is against Tech, too, as it's not a "name" program (like that really ought to matter; Tech will be a name program by the end of the year, when every AD of a major school with a coaching vacancy is going to try to money-whip Mike Leach out of Lubbock.)

Meanwhile, for those of you really all agita about the Tide staying at #1, consider this: while Alabama has not looked fantastic and/or world beaters, they've done it on the road in solid fashion: beating a Clemson team at a neutral site in Atlanta (and Clemson was expected to be something then), destroying Georgia in Athens, and getting out of Baton Rouge alive. That's impressive no matter what the margin of victory. The Red Raiders' bigger games have been at Jones AT&T Stadium so far, save the bloody beating of Kansas.

If Tech goes to Norman in two weeks, beats Oklahoma, and doesn't get elevated, THEN we've got a reason to go after the coaches, journos, and the computers with pitchforks.

16
Comments:

You can argue either way. But Herbie (I think it was Herbie at least) brought up the point that it really doesn't matter if you're #1 or #2. Both are going to the national championship, both won't be leapfrogged unless they lose, and even if #1 loses, I doubt they would just trade places with #2 given whose at #3, #4, and #5. I really don't believe it's that big of a deal if you're #1 or #2, as long as you're there.

As far as something that is a big deal goes, while PSU and USC sounds like an awesome Rose Bowl (and it would be), consider this, what if somehow Oregon State wins the PAC-10?

@ S2N: If that does happen, then we'll have the potential for "The Upset of the Century" shoved down our throats for a month. Even as a Penn State fan, I'd rather lose to USC in a good game, then kill Oregon State, again. It gets boring after awhile, and besides, nobody wants to see it.

Two things,As a Penn St fan, I am upset about the loss at Iowa, but a trip to the Rose Bowl is not a bad consoliation prize. Pasadena in January is just awesome. If we were to get Oregon St again, that would be a fun remach. I don't think Oregon St would lay an egg like they did in Happy Valley. USC would be an excellent test as well.

I can see Tech being ranked below Alabama, since Alabama has played tougher OOC opponents, although not by much. Plus as AA mentioned Tech is not a "brand" program yet.

JFein - this is the year USC can be had in the Rose Bowl if they make it. I have not liked watching the Trojans on offense much lately. The shutouts of U-Dub and Wazzu don't count as far as I'm concerned. USC is more like the team that only beats Arizona 17-10 and Cal 17-3. They're coasting on having good defensive skill players. If I'm gambling on a Penn State-USC Rose Bowl, I take Penn State and the points.

Oregon State would be better the second time around; Jacquizz Rodgers has had an impressive season and Sean Canfield seems to be a better fit at QB right now than Lyle Moevao. But Penn State firing on all cylinders beats Oregon State by merely 17-20 points instead of 31.

The problem is that Oregon State isn't really the best team out of the PAC 10. Yes they beat USC, but Southern Cal has a history of laying eggs against average conference opponents. Plus, Rematches of regular season blowouts are not that interesting. We already know Penn State is better than Oregon State or that USC is better than Ohio State.